The Republican | John Suchocki08.03.2012 | SPRINGFIELD -- With her Security detail driving and agents in the parking lot, Michele Obama (back seat left) enters the underground parking lot at the Basketball Hall of Fame for a fundraiser luncheon.

A motorcade brought the first lady into the basement garage of the Hall of Fame. She was then to be brought to the MassMutual Room, where the fundraiser event was underway.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Commissioner William Fitchet, said her plane landed at Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield at 1:35 p.m.

Delaney, who’s been working with the Secret Service, said there are about 20 Springfield Police officers at the Hall of Fame along with another 20 Secret Service people. He said about another 40 Secret Service and law enforcement officials were expected to accompany the first lady upon her arrival.

“You don’t see it, but the building is surrounded by police. The secret service is all over the place, and the (Connecticut) River is being monitored,” Delaney said.

The bike path along the river is open, but people are not being allowed to loiter in the area.

A number of people appeared to be just hanging around the Hall of Fame complex to try to get a look at Obama.

“I’m just kind of curious as to if she’s as beautiful in person as she is on television," said Jerry Urlage of Wilbraham. "It’s exciting when you have somebody from the White House coming in to the city of Springfield."

Jerry Taylor of Longmeadow said he had the day off and decided to check out the Hall of Fame to see if he could spot Obama. "Why not take advantage of the opportunity? he said.

Onlookers, however, got no glimpse of the first lady. Her motorcade, preceded by state police motorcycles, was all business as it pulled into the front entrance of the Hall of Fame’s parking lot and down into the underground garage.

Springfield resident Michael Runnells, who came to the Hall of Fame in hopes of getting a glimpse of Michelle Obama, said he was disappointed.

“It was very quick,” Runnells said. “At least wave or say ‘hi’ or something. I understand it was tight security but it was very quick. They just flew in there.”

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